1 . Let your pet choose you. I know it might sound crazy but when I went to buy my Bernese Mountain dog and Pyrenees mix dog I named, Lola, I was planning on buying her sister. When I arrived her sister ran away from me and Lola came right up to me and started licking my feet. She chose me and I am so glad.
Pets have always been more than just companions; they play a pivotal role in enhancing our mental well-being. From the unconditional love of a dog to the calming presence of a cat, pets have a unique way of alleviating stress, anxiety, and loneliness. But how do we truly harness the therapeutic potential of our furry, feathered, or scaled friends? How can they aid in promoting mindfulness, reducing depression, or even enhancing social interactions? In this interview series, we are talking to veterinarians, psychologists, therapists, pet trainers, and other experts who can shed light on how to maximize the mental health benefits of having a pet. As a part of this series I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Laurie Bowen the owner of a unique place she calls, Healing Minis Farm School.
Laurie Bowen is a former social worker, a registered teacher, professor and author who is launching her first book, Life Lessons I Learned From My Dogs — A Woman’s Story of Trauma, Healing and the Power of Unconditional Love in January, 2025. She lives on a small farm in eastern Ontario that she calls Healing Minis Farm School. (www.healingminisfarmschool.com).
With her dogs, Lola and Ethel, and her three miniature horses, Ruby, Opal (Oppie) and Emerald (Emmie,), who are sisters, she invites people to discover the healing nature of animals in nature. The cost is not prohibitive as the farm has registered to become a charity and request only a donation.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?
Myname is Laurie Bowen and I am a former social worker and a registered teacher and professor. My book Life Lessons I Learned From My Dogs — A Woman’s Story of Trauma, Healing and the Power of Unconditional Love is launching in January, 2025. My mother was killed when I was an infant and everything went downhill from there but I have found that spending time in nature with animals is the ultimate healer. I spent decades in psychotherapy both as a client and as a practitioner and I now believe that talk therapy, while it has its place, does not bring healing. Spending time in nature with animals, does. I know this because in 2017 I bought three miniature horses and started Healing Minis Farm School which is now a registered charity in Ontario. It is a place where people can spend time in nature with my horses and dogs.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
The horses act like mirrors to us mirroring back to us what we are feeling. It really is quite magical to experience it. For example, if you are angry inside, they will feel that and start fighting amongst themselves. If you are sad and grieving, they will comfort you by nuzzling you with their ultra soft noses and licking you. They have ten times the electromagnetic field around their hearts than humans do so they are highly intuitive.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
The Power of Now by Eckart Tolle really helped me to practice remaining in the present moment, because that is where the magic happens. When we are stuck in the past, it brings depression, or worried about the future, it brings anxiety, but right now, there are no problems in the NOW, there is only peace.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Can you share a personal story about how a pet has helped you or someone you know to improve mental wellness?
The wonderful thing about our pets, whether they are dogs, cats or horses, is, they are sentient beings and they feel us. Just being around them slows down our heart rates as horses, especially, will process our energy for us. When we don’t process our emotions, they stay stuck within us and this causes diseases to be able to take hold. The horses in particular, process our emotions for us and it can be seen when they yawn or stomp their hoof. They just know how to help us if we only take the time to listen and pay attention to their behavior.
I was very sad one day and sat under a tree and cried and all three horses surrounded me, one put her head on my lap, the other on my shoulder and the third stood guard. As I cried, they comforted me and after a while one of them nipped me on my ear as if to say “Ok that’s enough crying, now its time to get back up”.
While human interaction is essential for emotional well-being, in what ways do interactions with pets offer unique benefits that human relationships might not provide?
Our pets do not judge us and their love is truly unconditional. Spending time petting them helps us to bring peace and tranquility to our lives. Cuddling with your dog releases endorphins like serotonin and dopamine the “feel good” hormones, and the body’s natural pain killers. It is a win win situation as your pet benefits from physical contact as well as the owner. Sometimes we need quiet time with our pets to help us recover from our interactions with people.
Can you explain how this works? How do pets, particularly common ones like dogs and cats, biologically and psychologically help to alleviate human stress levels and anxieties?
Science has shown us that being with animals in nature produces hormones that help us to feel better and it has also proven that when we interact with our pets it helps to decrease the level of cortisol in our bodies, which is the stress hormone. Being with a pet also slows down our heart rate and they help us to not feel lonely.
Science is now saying that loneliness kills people more than smoking cigarettes do. Having a pet, like a dog, forces us to go outside where the sun can bring us the vitamin D that we so need. Not only that, but walking our dogs is a great form of exercise too so just going outside with them has tremendous health benefits.
Dogs are being used in court rooms to help keep young people calm while they testify, in hospitals and jails, in hospices and in schools. We are starting to realize that having an animal in these restricted places is healing and helps us to relax.
In the backdrop of global events like pandemics or natural disasters, how have you seen pets playing a role in alleviating anxiety and providing comfort? Can you share some instances where pets have been integrated into therapeutic practices? How do they complement traditional therapeutic techniques?
When I practiced psychotherapy, I always had a dog and/or a cat if the person was open to it, in the session. Most times, the dog was a senior female great white pyrenees dog. They are known to be farm dogs who protect the animals and the farm environment. They are amazing with children, known as gentle, yet deadly, giants.
These dogs would sit on the feet of the person who was in the most pain, without fail and the cat would curl up in their lap. The person would pet the cat as they shared their darkest memories and thoughts. As they were in a relaxed state, they were more open to sharing what they needed to get out and often times were surprised that they shared what they did always saying “I never told anyone that”. Holding sacred space for people is what animals do for us.
The shelters are full of dogs and cats that people ran out and adopted during the lock down and then realized they weren’t able to continue caring for them. We are all struggling to keep food on the table it seems. These animals helped people to get outside as we were allowed to walk our pets during the pandemic. The rules were often difficult to understand and changed from day to day but dogs always need to go for a walk and they force us to be outside, where we will ultimately be better for it. Walking is one of the easiest and most effective exercises, especially done with a dog. Exercise is the best anti-depressant in the world, so combine it with nature and an animal and it’s a prescription toward a healthier and happier life.
Not all pets are dogs or cats. From birds to fish to reptiles, how can individuals choose the right pet that aligns with their mental health needs?
The pet you choose has to also align with your mobility and finances because some are more expensive than others. For example, a person who relies on a wheelchair might choose a cat or a fish, a bird or a lizard as opposed to a dog since it would be more difficult for them to walk a dog, although not impossible, just more challenging.
If you need to get out of the house then a dog is the answer and they provide so much more in the way of companionship, physical touch, warmth and a strong sense of loyalty. Cats take even less attention and care except for their litter box but thinking about the cost as well as the care beforehand is important because pets really do become part of the family and we really don’t want to have to get rid of them later because we can no longer afford them.
How does the act of taking care of a pet — feeding, grooming, exercising — contribute to an individual’s sense of purpose and mental well-being?
Taking care of anything, helps us to feel better and gives us a purpose. People talk to plants when they are caring for them and studies have shown that the plants respond to positively to uplifting affirmations as opposed to negative ones. There may be days that are more difficult to get through when having to care for animals, like when we are sick. If we are living alone, there is no one else to feed them and make sure that they have clean water. It helps if you have someone in your life who can help you from time to time like a friend or family member.
Having the responsibility of caring for an animal has stopped many people from taking their own lives. Dogs are often loved more than people and we grieve the same kind of loss for our dog and pets as we do for our loved ones. Exercise has been shown to help us holistically, body, mind and soul. Something as simple as walking your dog, twice a day, will improve your life significantly.
Not only are you exercising your body, but you are also using all of your senses and being outside in the sun improves our mood and our thoughts are less as we concentrate on navigating with our dog. Our hearts start to beat faster as we pick up our pace and the endorphins start flowing and before you know it, the depression has lifted. Don’t forget to stop and smell the lavender.
The past 5 years have been filled with upheaval and political uncertainty. Many people have become anxious from the dramatic jolts of the news cycle. From your experience or research, what are your “Five Ways To Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet?”.
1 . Let your pet choose you. I know it might sound crazy but when I went to buy my Bernese Mountain dog and Pyrenees mix dog I named, Lola, I was planning on buying her sister. When I arrived her sister ran away from me and Lola came right up to me and started licking my feet. She chose me and I am so glad.
When I went to purchase one miniature horse to start my equine assisted learning business, I discovered that she had two sisters and they had never been apart so I bought all three of them and they are right in my backyard.
2 . Force yourself to go out for more walks than necessary. Your dog won’t mind and when it comes to exercise and being outside in nature with animals, there are parents who have started groups to try to keep their children outside all day long and only come in to sleep. Science is again proving that we are better humans in so many ways when we spend time outside, in nature, with animals.
3 . Get the pet that is right for you and your budget. There are jokes all over the internet about how expensive horses can be, especially if people are putting them into competitions and races, the trailering alone is prohibitive for many. Horses have become a wealthy person’s pet because they do require food, water, shelter, health care, hoof care, nutritional care, exercise and grooming. Many people board there horses and pay hundreds of dollars every month for someone else to take care of their horse every day.
4 . Take your dog for a ride in the car and don’t forget to put the window down. Watch the excitement and joy that your dog is experiencing. Take it all in as a mental picture for later when you are feeling down. Remember how much joy is created from taking a simple car ride with your dog.
Research nutrition for your dog and make it your aim to feed them the healthiest diet that you can. Many of the cheaper known dog foods and even the expensive ones are full of fillers and preservatives that have been known to shorten their lives. I cook for my dogs and add it to their kibble, chicken, beef with rice or oatmeal, veggies, flax seed and even steak. I buy the meat in bulk and I eat it right along with them. We go for at least two walks every day, no matter what the weather is like. In Canada, we learn to wear layers so being outside in -20 degree weather isn’t so bad.
5 . Consider pet therapy and sharing your dog or cat at a long term care facility or hospice. Horses are being brought into hospitals and hospices providing an incredible sense of awe, wonder and connection to the divine. They are extremely healing creatures, despite their size.
I hope to bring my minis into the jails and hospitals, schools and hospices. I know that they would bring people, an enormous amount of healing, especially, the indigenous people, as horses are sacred to them.
The loss of a pet can be deeply traumatic. How can individuals navigate this grief, and how does it compare to other forms of loss in terms of mental health impact?
The loss of a pet can be just as traumatic and sometimes even more, than losing a loved one. Animals are not judgmental and love us unconditionally while humans are not. It makes sense then that we would bond closer with an animal than, say our abusive family.
Animals provide comfort during the darkest of times and show us what real joy looks like, especially when we return home. Animals try to communicate with us through their behavior, we just have to pay attention to it. I have a special garden where all of my pets are buried and taking care of it helps me to feel connected to them and gives me great peace.
Grief is different for everyone but we all go through similar stages of shock, denial, guilt, sadness, anger, acceptance and hope whether it is a loss of a pet or a human. Grief is not linear it has its ups and downs and while it does get easier, it never truly heals.
Planting a tree or designing a garden are practical and beautiful ways to commemorate their lives.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of peace to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
Honestly. it would be for people to learn to meditate and be quiet. To listen more, and talk less and always. Always, be open to new ideas. Meditating in nature with a horse is the ultimate healing experience.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)
Duke and Duchess of Sussex — Prince Harry and Meghan
Like most of the world, I adored Prince Harry’s mother, the iconic Princess Diana and am so pleased to see him carry on her work and legacy with his darling wife by his side. I align with them in terms of their love for animals, children, the environment, mental health and Africa. I have two sponsor daughters that I am trying to bring to Canada from Ethiopia and am opening an African Grocery Store and Café on my property in rural Eastern Ontario where diversity is greatly lacking, all, in preparation for them coming to Canada with their families. I am also taking a Professional Graduate Certificate in Immigration and Citizenship Law to help them to immigrate to Canada.
I wrote a musical called Send Me An Angel and perhaps they would be interested in sponsoring it? Or my small business/charity www.healingminisfarmschool.com or perhaps they would read my book and want to make it into a movie. I am trained in Montessori Methods for Alzheimer’s and Dementia and wrote a short play about it called Arts For Life. I could see partnering with them on a number of projects that would benefit everyone.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I am on all of the social media platforms except X. I am Laurie Lynn on Facebook and Laurielynn_bowen on TikTok and Arts for Life Productions on Instagram and Laurie Lynn on Instagram. LinkedIn is under Healing Minis Retreat Into Nature . Also on Snap Chat but I don’t use it much and of course WhatsApp and I recently joined Blue Sky @healingminis.bsky.social
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
